diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/README.md b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/README.md
index 4b146e1d50d9c..2f6e897350de6 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/README.md
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/README.md
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ This example defines an Amazon EKS cluster with the following configuration:
 ```ts
 // provisiong a cluster
 const cluster = new eks.Cluster(this, 'hello-eks', {
-  version: eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_24,
-  kubectlLayer: new KubectlV24Layer(this, 'kubectl'),
+  version: eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_25,
+  kubectlLayer: new KubectlV25Layer(this, 'kubectl'),
 });
 
 // apply a kubernetes manifest to the cluster
@@ -684,11 +684,11 @@ Only version 1.20 of kubectl is available in `aws-cdk-lib`. If you need a differ
 version, you will need to use one of the `@aws-cdk/lambda-layer-kubectl-vXY` packages.
 
 ```ts
-import { KubectlV24Layer } from '@aws-cdk/lambda-layer-kubectl-v24';
+import { KubectlV25Layer } from '@aws-cdk/lambda-layer-kubectl-v25';
 
 const cluster = new eks.Cluster(this, 'hello-eks', {
-  version: eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_24,
-  kubectlLayer: new KubectlV24Layer(this, 'kubectl'),
+  version: eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_25,
+  kubectlLayer: new KubectlV25Layer(this, 'kubectl'),
 });
 ```
 
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/lib/cluster.ts b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/lib/cluster.ts
index 8b66765806002..59d6702996897 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/lib/cluster.ts
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/lib/cluster.ts
@@ -799,6 +799,7 @@ export interface ClusterProps extends ClusterOptions {
 
 /**
  * Kubernetes cluster version
+ * @see: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/eks/latest/userguide/kubernetes-versions.html#kubernetes-release-calendar
  */
 export class KubernetesVersion {
   /**
@@ -845,6 +846,7 @@ export class KubernetesVersion {
 
   /**
    * Kubernetes version 1.21
+   * @deprecated Use newer version of EKS
    */
   public static readonly V1_21 = KubernetesVersion.of('1.21');
 
@@ -875,6 +877,15 @@ export class KubernetesVersion {
    */
   public static readonly V1_24 = KubernetesVersion.of('1.24');
 
+  /**
+   * Kubernetes version 1.25
+   *
+   * When creating a `Cluster` with this version, you need to also specify the
+   * `kubectlLayer` property with a `KubectlV25Layer` from
+   * `@aws-cdk/lambda-layer-kubectl-v25`.
+   */
+  public static readonly V1_25 = KubernetesVersion.of('1.25');
+
   /**
    * Custom cluster version
    * @param version custom version number
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/cluster.test.ts b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/cluster.test.ts
index 92e010a8ac378..391c27b865b84 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/cluster.test.ts
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/cluster.test.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import { BottleRocketImage } from '../lib/private/bottlerocket';
 
 /* eslint-disable max-len */
 
-const CLUSTER_VERSION = eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_21;
+const CLUSTER_VERSION = eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_25;
 
 describe('cluster', () => {
   test('can configure and access ALB controller', () => {
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ describe('cluster', () => {
     Template.fromStack(stack).hasResourceProperties('Custom::AWSCDK-EKS-Cluster', {
       Config: {
         roleArn: { 'Fn::GetAtt': ['ClusterRoleFA261979', 'Arn'] },
-        version: '1.21',
+        version: '1.25',
         resourcesVpcConfig: {
           securityGroupIds: [{ 'Fn::GetAtt': ['ClusterControlPlaneSecurityGroupD274242C', 'GroupId'] }],
           subnetIds: [
@@ -1589,7 +1589,7 @@ describe('cluster', () => {
       const { app, stack } = testFixtureNoVpc();
 
       // WHEN
-      new eks.EksOptimizedImage({ kubernetesVersion: '1.21' }).getImage(stack);
+      new eks.EksOptimizedImage({ kubernetesVersion: '1.25' }).getImage(stack);
 
       // THEN
       const assembly = app.synth();
@@ -1600,7 +1600,7 @@ describe('cluster', () => {
       )).toEqual(true);
       expect(Object.entries(parameters).some(
         ([k, v]) => k.startsWith('SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami') &&
-          (v as any).Default.includes('/1.21/'),
+          (v as any).Default.includes('/1.25/'),
       )).toEqual(true);
     });
 
@@ -1773,7 +1773,7 @@ describe('cluster', () => {
       const { app, stack } = testFixtureNoVpc();
 
       // WHEN
-      new BottleRocketImage({ kubernetesVersion: '1.21' }).getImage(stack);
+      new BottleRocketImage({ kubernetesVersion: '1.25' }).getImage(stack);
 
       // THEN
       const assembly = app.synth();
@@ -1784,7 +1784,7 @@ describe('cluster', () => {
       )).toEqual(true);
       expect(Object.entries(parameters).some(
         ([k, v]) => k.startsWith('SsmParameterValueawsservicebottlerocketaws') &&
-          (v as any).Default.includes('/aws-k8s-1.21/'),
+          (v as any).Default.includes('/aws-k8s-1.25/'),
       )).toEqual(true);
     });
 
@@ -1804,7 +1804,7 @@ describe('cluster', () => {
         Config: {
           name: 'my-cluster-name',
           roleArn: { 'Fn::GetAtt': ['MyClusterRoleBA20FE72', 'Arn'] },
-          version: '1.21',
+          version: '1.25',
           resourcesVpcConfig: {
             securityGroupIds: [
               { 'Fn::GetAtt': ['MyClusterControlPlaneSecurityGroup6B658F79', 'GroupId'] },
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/fargate.test.ts b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/fargate.test.ts
index d08b9d0db6a8d..9098a9e1b4777 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/fargate.test.ts
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/fargate.test.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import * as kms from '@aws-cdk/aws-kms';
 import { Stack, Tags } from '@aws-cdk/core';
 import * as eks from '../lib';
 
-const CLUSTER_VERSION = eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_21;
+const CLUSTER_VERSION = eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_25;
 
 describe('fargate', () => {
   test('can be added to a cluster', () => {
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/apply/__init__.py b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/apply/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/apply/__init__.py
rename to packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/apply/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/get/__init__.py b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/get/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/get/__init__.py
rename to packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/get/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/helm/__init__.py b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/helm/__init__.py
similarity index 98%
rename from packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/helm/__init__.py
rename to packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/helm/__init__.py
index 286976ced219a..34481f86a81d7 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/helm/__init__.py
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/helm/__init__.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ def helm_handler(event, context):
     create_namespace = props.get('CreateNamespace', None)
     repository       = props.get('Repository', None)
     values_text      = props.get('Values', None)
+    skip_crds        = props.get('SkipCrds', False)
 
     # "log in" to the cluster
     subprocess.check_call([ 'aws', 'eks', 'update-kubeconfig',
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ def get_chart_from_oci(tmpdir, repository = None, version = None):
     raise Exception(f'Operation failed after {maxAttempts} attempts: {output}')
 
 
-def helm(verb, release, chart = None, repo = None, file = None, namespace = None, version = None, wait = False, timeout = None, create_namespace = None):
+def helm(verb, release, chart = None, repo = None, file = None, namespace = None, version = None, wait = False, timeout = None, create_namespace = None, skip_crds = False):
     import subprocess
 
     cmnd = ['helm', verb, release]
@@ -166,6 +167,8 @@ def helm(verb, release, chart = None, repo = None, file = None, namespace = None
         cmnd.extend(['--namespace', namespace])
     if wait:
         cmnd.append('--wait')
+    if skip_crds:
+        cmnd.append('--skip-crds')
     if not timeout is None:
         cmnd.extend(['--timeout', timeout])
     cmnd.extend(['--kubeconfig', kubeconfig])
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/index.py b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/index.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/index.py
rename to packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/index.py
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/patch/__init__.py b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/patch/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8/patch/__init__.py
rename to packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02/patch/__init__.py
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.ad44c2b0638f04871c889d78e71dea90ffae67b9cc4aa4366d5102db42435ee1.zip b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.ad44c2b0638f04871c889d78e71dea90ffae67b9cc4aa4366d5102db42435ee1.zip
index 5f4ba6c9291d8..3a8cc2f656c03 100644
Binary files a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.ad44c2b0638f04871c889d78e71dea90ffae67b9cc4aa4366d5102db42435ee1.zip and b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.ad44c2b0638f04871c889d78e71dea90ffae67b9cc4aa4366d5102db42435ee1.zip differ
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c475180f5b1bbabac165414da13a9b843b111cd3b6d5fae9c954c006640c4064.zip b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c475180f5b1bbabac165414da13a9b843b111cd3b6d5fae9c954c006640c4064.zip
index 6cab68362ec21..a081397c80d16 100644
Binary files a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c475180f5b1bbabac165414da13a9b843b111cd3b6d5fae9c954c006640c4064.zip and b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c475180f5b1bbabac165414da13a9b843b111cd3b6d5fae9c954c006640c4064.zip differ
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c9455aefa243f3cd7a810b3f6df8ed37e457d3e1d046353da27c4aa13551d4dc.zip b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c9455aefa243f3cd7a810b3f6df8ed37e457d3e1d046353da27c4aa13551d4dc.zip
index 6b4e14c2e2d00..631ac4cedf8ca 100644
Binary files a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c9455aefa243f3cd7a810b3f6df8ed37e457d3e1d046353da27c4aa13551d4dc.zip and b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/asset.c9455aefa243f3cd7a810b3f6df8ed37e457d3e1d046353da27c4aa13551d4dc.zip differ
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.assets.json b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.assets.json
index fafedf85d4a75..440947c8b4fe2 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.assets.json
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.assets.json
@@ -57,15 +57,15 @@
         }
       }
     },
-    "c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8": {
+    "92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02": {
       "source": {
-        "path": "asset.c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8",
+        "path": "asset.92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02",
         "packaging": "zip"
       },
       "destinations": {
         "current_account-us-east-1": {
           "bucketName": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1",
-          "objectKey": "c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8.zip",
+          "objectKey": "92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02.zip",
           "region": "us-east-1",
           "assumeRoleArn": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:iam::${AWS::AccountId}:role/cdk-hnb659fds-file-publishing-role-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
         }
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@
         }
       }
     },
-    "67a3aa529ec1ed1816a4cf80820b64e8664fc647e3c49f45996ed25b332e7d07": {
+    "82bc7202ab93521f556ffe91199b3e2d55a9b03ae8334a40d6a5dd07ed7cbaeb": {
       "source": {
         "path": "awscdkeksclustertestawscdkawseksKubectlProviderE05943BF.nested.template.json",
         "packaging": "file"
@@ -149,13 +149,13 @@
       "destinations": {
         "current_account-us-east-1": {
           "bucketName": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1",
-          "objectKey": "67a3aa529ec1ed1816a4cf80820b64e8664fc647e3c49f45996ed25b332e7d07.json",
+          "objectKey": "82bc7202ab93521f556ffe91199b3e2d55a9b03ae8334a40d6a5dd07ed7cbaeb.json",
           "region": "us-east-1",
           "assumeRoleArn": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:iam::${AWS::AccountId}:role/cdk-hnb659fds-file-publishing-role-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
         }
       }
     },
-    "6782a2a042fa36c961aad9bb00a06c22bfc03046118bf097208ad738af93cbe7": {
+    "fa91c42247dc7e7ad1ecea9e8017595a5e51a6892c8585202a74b115bd521a16": {
       "source": {
         "path": "aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.template.json",
         "packaging": "file"
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
       "destinations": {
         "current_account-us-east-1": {
           "bucketName": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1",
-          "objectKey": "6782a2a042fa36c961aad9bb00a06c22bfc03046118bf097208ad738af93cbe7.json",
+          "objectKey": "fa91c42247dc7e7ad1ecea9e8017595a5e51a6892c8585202a74b115bd521a16.json",
           "region": "us-east-1",
           "assumeRoleArn": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:iam::${AWS::AccountId}:role/cdk-hnb659fds-file-publishing-role-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
         }
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.template.json b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.template.json
index ed7cc1de372b2..51384df929315 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.template.json
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test.template.json
@@ -3406,7 +3406,7 @@
        {
         "Fn::Sub": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
        },
-       "/67a3aa529ec1ed1816a4cf80820b64e8664fc647e3c49f45996ed25b332e7d07.json"
+       "/82bc7202ab93521f556ffe91199b3e2d55a9b03ae8334a40d6a5dd07ed7cbaeb.json"
       ]
      ]
     },
@@ -3454,7 +3454,7 @@
    "Properties": {
     "LaunchTemplateData": {
      "ImageId": {
-      "Ref": "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami121amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
+      "Ref": "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami125amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
      },
      "InstanceType": "t3.small",
      "UserData": {
@@ -3715,9 +3715,9 @@
    "Type": "AWS::SSM::Parameter::Value<String>",
    "Default": "/aws/service/bottlerocket/aws-k8s-1.24/x86_64/latest/image_id"
   },
-  "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami121amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter": {
+  "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami125amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter": {
    "Type": "AWS::SSM::Parameter::Value<String>",
-   "Default": "/aws/service/eks/optimized-ami/1.21/amazon-linux-2/recommended/image_id"
+   "Default": "/aws/service/eks/optimized-ami/1.25/amazon-linux-2/recommended/image_id"
   },
   "BootstrapVersion": {
    "Type": "AWS::SSM::Parameter::Value<String>",
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/awscdkeksclustertestawscdkawseksKubectlProviderE05943BF.nested.template.json b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/awscdkeksclustertestawscdkawseksKubectlProviderE05943BF.nested.template.json
index 5bd4e0d860851..f985a3dffc4c8 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/awscdkeksclustertestawscdkawseksKubectlProviderE05943BF.nested.template.json
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/awscdkeksclustertestawscdkawseksKubectlProviderE05943BF.nested.template.json
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
      "S3Bucket": {
       "Fn::Sub": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
      },
-     "S3Key": "c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8.zip"
+     "S3Key": "92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02.zip"
     },
     "Role": {
      "Fn::GetAtt": [
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/manifest.json b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/manifest.json
index 3bea8fd594551..fa669d497ce05 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/manifest.json
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/manifest.json
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
         "validateOnSynth": false,
         "assumeRoleArn": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:iam::${AWS::AccountId}:role/cdk-hnb659fds-deploy-role-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1",
         "cloudFormationExecutionRoleArn": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:iam::${AWS::AccountId}:role/cdk-hnb659fds-cfn-exec-role-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1",
-        "stackTemplateAssetObjectUrl": "s3://cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1/6782a2a042fa36c961aad9bb00a06c22bfc03046118bf097208ad738af93cbe7.json",
+        "stackTemplateAssetObjectUrl": "s3://cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1/fa91c42247dc7e7ad1ecea9e8017595a5e51a6892c8585202a74b115bd521a16.json",
         "requiresBootstrapStackVersion": 6,
         "bootstrapStackVersionSsmParameter": "/cdk-bootstrap/hnb659fds/version",
         "additionalDependencies": [
@@ -945,10 +945,10 @@
             "data": "SsmParameterValueawsservicebottlerocketawsk8s124x8664latestimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
           }
         ],
-        "/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter": [
+        "/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter": [
           {
             "type": "aws:cdk:logicalId",
-            "data": "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami121amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
+            "data": "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami125amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
           }
         ],
         "/aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/LaunchTemplate": [
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/tree.json b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/tree.json
index e294b91873431..3a5269ba27a01 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/tree.json
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.js.snapshot/tree.json
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@
             },
             "constructInfo": {
               "fqn": "@aws-cdk/lambda-layer-kubectl-v24.KubectlV24Layer",
-              "version": "2.0.108"
+              "version": "2.0.113"
             }
           },
           "Cluster": {
@@ -1197,7 +1197,7 @@
                 },
                 "constructInfo": {
                   "fqn": "constructs.Construct",
-                  "version": "10.1.259"
+                  "version": "10.1.264"
                 }
               },
               "KubectlReadyBarrier": {
@@ -5557,7 +5557,7 @@
                     },
                     "constructInfo": {
                       "fqn": "constructs.Construct",
-                      "version": "10.1.259"
+                      "version": "10.1.264"
                     }
                   }
                 },
@@ -5632,7 +5632,7 @@
             },
             "constructInfo": {
               "fqn": "constructs.Construct",
-              "version": "10.1.259"
+              "version": "10.1.264"
             }
           },
           "@aws-cdk--aws-eks.KubectlProvider": {
@@ -5853,7 +5853,7 @@
                           "s3Bucket": {
                             "Fn::Sub": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
                           },
-                          "s3Key": "c17e6c5822dd39738b3ba669bef4bb7c8fceaea76b51477bf94d6745d0c201c8.zip"
+                          "s3Key": "92ea03f8b2e779503519f7781d06c03f95b46863db85f5c50a4e7debfd04be02.zip"
                         },
                         "role": {
                           "Fn::GetAtt": [
@@ -6271,7 +6271,7 @@
                           {
                             "Fn::Sub": "cdk-hnb659fds-assets-${AWS::AccountId}-us-east-1"
                           },
-                          "/67a3aa529ec1ed1816a4cf80820b64e8664fc647e3c49f45996ed25b332e7d07.json"
+                          "/82bc7202ab93521f556ffe91199b3e2d55a9b03ae8334a40d6a5dd07ed7cbaeb.json"
                         ]
                       ]
                     },
@@ -6314,7 +6314,7 @@
             },
             "constructInfo": {
               "fqn": "constructs.Construct",
-              "version": "10.1.259"
+              "version": "10.1.264"
             }
           },
           "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.24--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter": {
@@ -6365,17 +6365,17 @@
               "version": "0.0.0"
             }
           },
-          "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter": {
-            "id": "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter",
-            "path": "aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter",
+          "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter": {
+            "id": "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter",
+            "path": "aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118.Parameter",
             "constructInfo": {
               "fqn": "@aws-cdk/core.CfnParameter",
               "version": "0.0.0"
             }
           },
-          "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118": {
-            "id": "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118",
-            "path": "aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.21--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118",
+          "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118": {
+            "id": "SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118",
+            "path": "aws-cdk-eks-cluster-test/SsmParameterValue:--aws--service--eks--optimized-ami--1.25--amazon-linux-2--recommended--image_id:C96584B6-F00A-464E-AD19-53AFF4B05118",
             "constructInfo": {
               "fqn": "@aws-cdk/core.Resource",
               "version": "0.0.0"
@@ -6389,7 +6389,7 @@
               "aws:cdk:cloudformation:props": {
                 "launchTemplateData": {
                   "imageId": {
-                    "Ref": "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami121amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
+                    "Ref": "SsmParameterValueawsserviceeksoptimizedami125amazonlinux2recommendedimageidC96584B6F00A464EAD1953AFF4B05118Parameter"
                   },
                   "instanceType": "t3.small",
                   "userData": {
@@ -6618,7 +6618,7 @@
                 "path": "aws-cdk-eks-cluster/DefaultTest/Default",
                 "constructInfo": {
                   "fqn": "constructs.Construct",
-                  "version": "10.1.259"
+                  "version": "10.1.264"
                 }
               },
               "DeployAssert": {
@@ -6664,7 +6664,7 @@
         "path": "Tree",
         "constructInfo": {
           "fqn": "constructs.Construct",
-          "version": "10.1.259"
+          "version": "10.1.264"
         }
       }
     },
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.ts b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.ts
index cc83ffcccf3a2..927558895bcd8 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.ts
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/integ.eks-cluster.ts
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class EksClusterStack extends Stack {
     const lt = new ec2.CfnLaunchTemplate(this, 'LaunchTemplate', {
       launchTemplateData: {
         imageId: new eks.EksOptimizedImage({
-          kubernetesVersion: eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_21.version,
+          kubernetesVersion: eks.KubernetesVersion.V1_25.version,
         }).getImage(this).imageId,
         instanceType: new ec2.InstanceType('t3.small').toString(),
         userData: Fn.base64(userData.render()),
diff --git a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/util.ts b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/util.ts
index 5f6aee684170f..cf02330cea795 100644
--- a/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/util.ts
+++ b/packages/@aws-cdk/aws-eks/test/util.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import * as ec2 from '@aws-cdk/aws-ec2';
 import { App, Stack } from '@aws-cdk/core';
 import { Cluster, ClusterProps, KubernetesVersion } from '../lib';
 
-const CLUSTER_VERSION = KubernetesVersion.V1_16;
+const CLUSTER_VERSION = KubernetesVersion.V1_25;
 
 export function testFixture() {
   const { stack, app } = testFixtureNoVpc();